Don Shula, Class of 1997

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Don Shula played cornerback for the Colts for four seasons and for the Washington Redskins in 1957 before turning to coaching as a college assistant.

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Shula returned to pro football in 1960 as the Detroit Lions defensive coordinator.

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In 1963, Shula was hired as head coach of the Baltimore Colts. At 33, he was the then-youngest head coach in NFL history.

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In 1970, he made a major career move when he took over the Dolphins in only their fifth season. Almost immediately, he turned the Miami team into a perpetual winner.

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In Super Bowl VII, the 1972 Dolphins completed their historic 17-0-0 campaign – the only perfect season in NFL history – with a 14-7 win over the Washington Redskins. In 1973, Miami defeated the Minnesota Vikings in Super Bowl VIII to culminate a two-season span when the Dolphins won 32 of 34 games.

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In 26 years at Miami, Shula’s Dolphins experienced only two seasons below .500.

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In 1995, he concluded his 33rd season as the winningest NFL head coach ever with a career mark of 347-173-6 (.665).

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Shula was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1997.

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Don Shula poses with his Hall of Fame bust.